ChillTab Virus (Mac)

What is ChillTab?

ChillTab (Tab.chill-tab.com) is a suspicious application that supposedly enhances the browsing experience by improving search results.

This functionality may seem legitimate, however, ChillTab often infiltrates systems without permission. Furthermore, it modifies browser settings and gathers sensitive information. For these reasons, ChillTab is categorized as a potentially unwanted program and a browser hijacker.

This browser hijacker promotes a fake web search engine (search.chill-tab.com) and targets the Safari, Mozilla Firefox, and Google Chrome browsers. Following infiltration, ChillTab assigns the new tab URL, default search engine, and homepage options to search.chill-tab.com These changes may seem insignificant, however, users are unable to revert them.

Research shows that search.chill-tab.com reassigns browser options when attempts are made to change them. Therefore, as long as ChillTab is present, returning browsers to their previous states is impossible and users are encouraged to visit search.chill-tab.com when they search via the URL bar or simply open a new browser tab.

Be aware that ChillTab (and search.chill-tab.com) gather information that typically includes personal details. Collected data (IP addresses, website URLs visited, pages viewed, search queries, etc.) is later shared with third parties (potentially, cyber criminals).

These people generate revenue by misusing private information. Therefore, information tracking can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. We strongly recommend that you uninstall the ChillTab browser hijacker and never return to search.chill-tab.com

Threat Summary:

Name	search.chill-tab.com redirect
Threat Type	Mac malware, Mac virus
Detection Names (fake Adobe Flash Player installer promoting ChillTab virus)	Avast (MacOS:Bundlore-AQ [Adw]), BitDefender (Trojan.MAC.Shlayer.F), Emsisoft (Trojan.MAC.Shlayer.F (B)), Kaspersky (HEUR:Trojan-Downloader.OSX.Shlayer.a), Full List (VirusTotal)
Symptoms	Your Mac became slower than normal, you see unwanted pop-up ads, you get redirected to shady websites.
Distribution methods	Deceptive pop-up ads, free software installers (bundling), fake flash player installers, torrent file downloads.
Damage	Internet browsing tracking (potential privacy issues), displaying of unwanted ads, redirects to shady websites, loss of private information.
Malware Removal (Mac)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your Mac with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. ▼ Download Combo Cleaner for Mac To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

ChillTab shares many similarities with dozens of other browser-hijacking applications. By offering various "useful features", potentially unwanted programs attempt to give the impression of legitimacy, however, these applications are designed only to generate revenue for the developers.

All claims to enable "useful functions" are merely attempts to give the impression of legitimacy. Rather than giving any real value for regular users, browser hijackers cause unwanted redirects and gather sensitive information.

Furthermore, some fake search engines feed users with false results and generate intrusive advertisements and might lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft.

How did ChillTab install on my computer?

Developers proliferate ChillTab by employing a deceptive marketing method called "bundling" and intrusive advertisements. "Bundling" is essentially stealth installation of PUPs together with regular programs.

Developers hide "bundled" programs within "Custom/Advanced" settings (or other sections) of the download/installation processes, whilst intrusive ads redirect to malicious sites and execute scripts that stealthily download and install malware.

Furthermore, many users are likely to rush these procedures, skip steps, and click ads without understanding the possible consequences. This behavior often leads to inadvertent installation of PUPs such as ChillTab.

How to avoid installation of potentially unwanted applications?

To prevent PUP infiltration, be very cautious when browsing the Internet and especially when downloading/installing software. Bear in mind that intrusive advertisements are typically designed to appear legitimate, however, most lead to dubious websites (gambling, adult dating, pornography, and and so on).

They are usually displayed by adware-type PUPs. If you suspicious redirects, immediately remove all suspicious applications and browser plug-ins. Furthermore, carefully analyze each window of the download/installation processes and opt-out of all additionally-included programs.

Software should be downloaded from official sources only, using direct download links. Developers monetize third party downloaders/installers by promoting PUPs, and thus, these tools should not be used.

The key to computer safety is caution. If your computer is already infected with browser hijackers, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for macOS to automatically eliminate this browser hijacker.

Deceptive application installer promoting ChillTab:

Fake Adobe Flash Player installer promoting ChillTab virus:

Instant automatic Mac malware removal: Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of Mac malware. Download it by clicking the button below:
▼ DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner for Mac By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. Limited seven days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by Rcs Lt, the parent company of PCRisk.com read more.

Quick menu:

• What is ChillTab?
• STEP 1. Remove ChillTab related files and folders from OSX.
• STEP 2. Remove ChillTab redirect from Safari.
• STEP 3. Remove ChillTab browser hijacker from Google Chrome.
• STEP 4. Remove ChillTab homepage and default search engine from Mozilla Firefox.

Video showing how to remove adware and browser hijackers from a Mac computer:

ChillTab redirect removal:

Remove ChillTab-related potentially unwanted applications from your "Applications" folder:

Click the Finder icon. In the Finder window, select “Applications”. In the applications folder, look for “MPlayerX”,“NicePlayer”, or other suspicious applications and drag them to the Trash. After removing the potentially unwanted application(s) that cause online ads, scan your Mac for any remaining unwanted components.

Remove browser hijacker-related files and folders

Click the Finder icon from the menu bar. Choose Go, and click Go to Folder...

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: /Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/Application Support/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/Application Support/

In the "Application Support" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious folders. For example, "MplayerX" or "NicePlayer", and move these folders to the Trash.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ folder:

In the Go to Folder... bar, type: ~/Library/LaunchAgents/

In the "LaunchAgents" folder, look for any recently-added suspicious files and move them to the Trash. Examples of files generated by browser hijackers - "installmac.AppRemoval.plist", "myppes.download.plist", "mykotlerino.ltvbit.plist", "kuklorest.update.plist", etc. Browser hijacker commonly installs several files with the exact same string.

Check for browser hijacker generated files in the /Library/LaunchDaemons/ folder:

In the "Go to Folder..." bar, type: /Library/LaunchDaemons/

In the "LaunchDaemons" folder, look for recently-added suspicious files. For example "com.aoudad.net-preferences.plist", "com.myppes.net-preferences.plist", "com.kuklorest.net-preferences.plist", "com.avickUpd.plist", etc., and move them to the Trash.

Scan your Mac with Combo Cleaner:

If you have followed all the steps correctly, your Mac should be clean of infections. To ensure your system is not infected, run a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus. Download it HERE. After downloading the file, double click combocleaner.dmg installer. In the opened window, drag and drop the Combo Cleaner icon on top of the Applications icon. Now open your launchpad and click on the Combo Cleaner icon. Wait until Combo Cleaner updates its virus definition database and click the "Start Combo Scan" button.

Combo Cleaner will scan your Mac for malware infections. If the antivirus scan displays "no threats found" - this means that you can continue with the removal guide; otherwise, it's recommended to remove any found infections before continuing.

After removing files and folders generated by the browser hijackers, continue to remove rogue extensions from your Internet browsers.

Remove browser hijackers from Internet browsers

Remove Safari browser hijackers:

Open the Safari browser, from the menu bar, select "Safari" and click "Preferences...".

In the preferences window, select "Extensions" and look for any recently-installed suspicious extensions. When located, click the "Uninstall" button next to it/them. Note that you can safely uninstall all extensions from your Safari browser - none are crucial for regular browser operation.

Change your homepage:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "General" tab. To set your homepage, type the preferred website URL (for example: www.google.com) in the Homepage field. You can also click the "Set to Current Page" button if you wish to set your homepage to the website you are currently visiting.

Change your default search engine:

In the "Preferences" window, select the "Search" tab. Here you will find a drop-down menu labeled "Search engine:" Simply select your preferred search engine from the drop-down list.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Safari.

Remove Google Chrome browser hijackers:

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "More Tools" and click "Extensions". Locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, select these entries and click "Remove".

Change your homepage

Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome) and select "Settings". In the "On startup" section, disable the malicious extension (if present), look for a browser hijacker URL below the "Open a specific or set of pages" option. If present, click on the three vertical dots icon and select "Remove".

Change your default search engine:

To change your default search engine in Google Chrome: Click the Chrome menu icon (at the top right corner of Google Chrome), select "Settings", in the "Search engine" section, click "Manage search engines...", in the opened list look for a browser hijacker URL, when located click the three vertical dots near this URL and select "Delete".

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Google Chrome.

Remove malicious extensions from Mozilla Firefox:

Click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window) and select "Add-ons and themes". Click "Extensions", in the opened window locate all recently-installed suspicious extensions, click on the three dots and then click "Remove".

Change your homepage

To reset your homepage, click the Firefox menu (at the top right corner of the main window), then select "Settings", in the opened window disable malicious extension (if present), remove the browser hijacker URL and enter your preferred domain, which will open each time you start Mozilla Firefox.

Change your default search engine:

In the URL address bar, type "about:config" and press Enter. Click "Accept the Risk and Continue".

In the search filter at the top, type: "extensionControlled". Set both results to "false" by either double-clicking each entry or clicking the button.

• If you continue to have problems with browser redirects and unwanted advertisements - Reset Mozilla Firefox.

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